Ready to make the most of your warm-weather days? Grab your friends and family and get out on the water.

For some, the window of activity lasts a few months; while for those in warmer climates, boating is almost a year-round activity.

Boating gives you the freedom to explore the outdoors and offers added wellness benefits. Studies show being on the water improves emotional health, relaxation and creativity.

“The water is open to everyone and provides the perfect escape,” said Ellen Bradley, Discover Boating senior vice president. “If you’re looking to get away and spend time with your loved ones, it doesn’t get much better than being on a boat where you get to choose your own adventure, experience the unique joys of disconnecting from stress on land and have fun.”

From day cruising to fishing, sailing and watersports, boating offers something for everyone, and it’s more accessible than you may think.

In fact, boaters come from all walks of life, backgrounds and areas of the country, with an estimated 100 million Americans going boating each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Discover Boating is the leading resource for all things boating whether you already own a boat, you’re just getting started or simply want to test the waters. These insider tips provide easy ways to get on the water and make the memories of a lifetime with a boat.

1) Rent or share a boat. Rental options are available on most waterways and provide hourly, daily or weekly access to a variety of boat types. Rental outfitters should provide tutorials on operating a boat, share safety instructions and offer suggestions on destinations. Another option is peer-to-peer boat rentals, where most services allow you to search by zip code, find a boat near you and then connect with the boat’s owner, gather the details and hit the water.

2) Join a boat club. Find a boat club near you to access a variety of boats. You’ll pay a monthly fee and be able to book your time on the water online. Most boat clubs take care of docking, cleaning, maintenance and boat training courses.

3) Take a class. Take the helm and become a confident boater. Sign up for a boating lesson to hone your powerboating, sailing or watersports skills by mastering the basics while having fun along the way. On-water training courses, watersports camps, youth boating programs and more are offered across the U.S.

4) Find your dream boat. Chart your own course to boat ownership by visiting DiscoverBoating.com, where you'll find a robust boat finder database and loan calculator tool; together they help determine your budget, and identify the different types of boats that fit your lifestyle and interests. 

At a dealership you can shop a variety of boats. Compare models and features. Ask questions. Even schedule a test ride. Many dealerships also make it easy to take care of your boat—offering routine maintenance, service, and warranty work, as well as parts and accessories for your boat. 

One more thing to keep in mind—the boat dealer you choose to buy from will also impact your ownership experience. How do you find a dealer you can trust? Look for a Marine Industry Certified Dealer. You can be confident a Certified Dealer will deliver service you can count on—before, during, and after the sale. Check out this boat dealer database.

Now that people are getting out more despite the pandemic, boat shows are once again thriving in cities all over the country. They are excellent events for those seeking to find a wide variety of boats, at all price points, and to talk to manufacturers as well as knowledgeable industry representatives.

To find a boat show near you, look at this boat show database. (If the date has passed, call the event sponsor to determine dates of the next show, which may not yet be posted.)

Visit Discover Boating’s Go Boating Today tool to start planning your boating  adventures. Use the social media hashtag #SeeYouOutHere to share your boating moments.  ~ Brandpoint